African Soldiers in World War II

This reimagined retelling of the East and Southern African soldiers who fought for Britain in World War Two is our first main house production at Sheffield Theatres.

The world premiere of Never Look Back, directed by Daniel Bailey, will take place in February 2027, following a sold-out sharing performance directed by James Ngcobo in 2023.

Set in Uganda in 2020, at the show’s heart is the relationship between veteran Komakech ‘Abba’ Ogwang and his curious granddaughter Anena Gladis. 

Bridging two periods in time, their conversations transport the audience back to 1944, as Abba struggles to confront his past.
There, the lives of the King’s African Rifles soldiers in the Burma campaign against the Japanese army are revealed.  

In the jungle they experience fear, camaraderie and injustice. 

Recapping these stories commemorates the sacrifices of the men who fought from these nations.

The show questions their legacy, amidst both historic and current racial inequality.

Never Look Back was originally developed as part of the Nationwide Voices scheme by English Touring Theatre and commissioned by Sheffield Theatres.

It was nominated for the Alfred Fagon Award, the leading awards for Black British playwrights.

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